Video & Multimedia

20score

(4,769 posts) Mon Feb 17, 2014, 06:43 PM Feb 2014

Democracy Now! Former FCC Commissioner Warns About Comcast-Time Warner Merger

Comcast has announced plans to buy Time Warner Cable at a cost of more than $45 billion in stock. The takeover would allow Comcast to provide cable service to a third of American households and give it a virtual monopoly in 19 of the 20 largest media markets. While Comcast has claimed the deal will be "pro-consumer," the group Free Press warns the deal would be a "disaster" for consumers. Analysts predict Comcast will launch a lobbying blitz similar to when it won approval to take over NBCUniversal in 2011. Comcast has already hired FCC Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker, who signed off on its NBC deal. We speak to another former FCC commissioner, Michael Copps. He now leads the Media and Democracy Reform Initiative at Common Cause.

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Democracy Now! Former FCC Commissioner Warns About Comcast-Time Warner Merger (Original Post) 20score Feb 2014 OP

Isn't capitalism about competition. Curmudgeoness Feb 2014 #1

Michael Copps is a very "GOOD GUY!" KoKo Feb 2014 #2

Democracy Now K&R. And Copps served in the FCC under GW Bush. alp227 Feb 2014 #3

calling it special or competitive Veilex Feb 2014 #4

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)

1. Isn't capitalism about competition.

Reply to 20score (Original post)

Mon Feb 17, 2014, 09:26 PM

Feb 2014

Doesn't competition give the most choices to the consumer? Aren't monopolies illegal?

I do not see how it is possible to have this merger approved. And there is no f-ing way this will be good for consumers---who are they kidding.

KoKo

(84,711 posts)

2. Michael Copps is a very "GOOD GUY!"

Reply to 20score (Original post)

Mon Feb 17, 2014, 10:03 PM

Feb 2014

And he is working hard...and worth the watch.

He has a background with us Legacy DU'ers...in how he tried to stop Bush II from Colin Powell's Son, Michael trashing the FCC. He was a "warrior at the gate."

He is still working for Progressive Democrats in every way he can. Moyers interview with him and Amy on "Democracy Now" Show last week shows how hard he's working.

RECOMMEND!

alp227

(32,046 posts)

3. Democracy Now K&R. And Copps served in the FCC under GW Bush.

Reply to 20score (Original post)

Tue Feb 18, 2014, 03:56 AM

Feb 2014

At least he understands why this merger is harmful. of course his message is drowned out in the corporate media - including NBC and MSNBC that are both owned by Comcast. And AT&T advertises plenty on ABC/CBS/etc. so those networks are not gonna report anything that will offend advertisers.

Veilex

(1,555 posts)

4. calling it special or competitive

Reply to 20score (Original post)

Tue Feb 18, 2014, 11:59 AM

Feb 2014

doesn't make it so. At a time when Comcast already charges outlandish fees for service and net neutrality has been castrated, it is more important than ever to stop mergers like this from happening. We need corporate diversity and competition, not monopolistic consolidation which is decidedly anti-competitive.

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